The craze for the Swordsmanship Tournament swept across the seas like a storm, carried by an endless tide of news that stirred every corner of the world into restless excitement.
Retired grand swordmasters who had long vanished from public view began to reappear, their names once again whispered with awe, while famed swordsmen who had already built their reputations sharpened their blades in anticipation.
At the same time, unknown figures emerged from obscurity, rising like meteors as they defeated renowned opponents one after another, proving that the ocean still hid countless monsters waiting for their moment.
Only then did people truly realize how vast the world of swordsmen was, and how terrifying it would become if all of them gathered in one place.
The thought alone was enough to make even seasoned pirates uneasy, because such a concentration of blade-wielding warriors could rival the strength of entire fleets.
Not long after, the World Expo officially came to an end, and a large number of pirates began departing Sicily Island, returning to their respective territories with their gains.
However, many chose to remain behind, continuing to trade and conduct business, even though the scale could no longer compare to the height of the Expo.
Still, it was obvious to anyone with foresight that Sicily Island would gradually transform into a major trade hub, its influence growing steadily over time as commerce expanded and more forces established connections there.
The Nightfall Pirates had already anticipated this outcome and had subtly guided it from the shadows, ensuring that Sicily Island possessed every advantage needed to thrive.
Its natural beauty, combined with the fame brought by the Expo, had already elevated it to global prominence, making it an attractive destination for merchants, pirates, and opportunists alike.
"One thing after another, it never stops," Benn Beckman muttered with a quiet sigh as he stood aboard a ship drifting through the Calm Belt, his sharp eyes reflecting a clear understanding of the situation.
He was not the only one who saw through the intention behind the Swordsmanship Tournament, because many intelligent figures had already reached the same conclusion.
The enormous prize pool and the scale of the event were not simply acts of generosity, but a calculated move to promote the Battle Pyramid and cement it as a landmark of the new era.
"Isn't that exactly what makes it exciting?" Shanks replied with a grin, his eyes gleaming with anticipation that he made no effort to hide.
As a swordsman, there was no way he could ignore such a grand stage.
His current strength had already reached the peak of a Sword Master, yet the final step toward becoming a Grand Swordmaster remained just out of reach, a barrier that had trapped countless talented individuals before him.
This tournament, filled with battles against opponents from all over the world, represented the perfect opportunity to break through.
"Shanks, if you want to go, then go," Rayleigh said with a relaxed smile, his gaze carrying a hint of nostalgia as he looked at the younger man.
If he were still in his prime, there was no doubt that he would have seized such an opportunity without hesitation, eager to cross blades with masters from across the seas.
However, even as the idea briefly crossed his mind, Rayleigh knew that his presence would attract far too much attention.
As a former member of the Roger Pirates who had reached the final island and uncovered the truth of the world, he remained a target the World Government would never stop hunting.
Appearing publicly at such an event would only invite unnecessary chaos.
"There are still three months left, so we will set out in two," Shanks said after a moment of thought, his tone turning serious as he considered the battles ahead. "Until then, we should focus on improving as much as possible, because the competition will be brutal, and there is no guarantee of survival if we are not strong enough."
Rayleigh nodded slightly, approving of the decision, while Shanks himself tightened his resolve.
If he could break through before the tournament began, his chances would increase significantly, but even if he could not, he would still give everything he had.
Meanwhile, far from the Calm Belt, another figure burst into laughter that echoed across the sky.
"Jie ha ha ha ha! A Swordsmanship Tournament? Now that is interesting!" Golden Lion Shiki's voice carried both amusement and excitement, a rare combination for someone who had long grown indifferent to most happenings in the world.
Even the ongoing conflicts between major pirate crews had failed to capture his attention, because his focus had always been on his own grand ambitions. Yet this tournament was different, because it brought together something he valued deeply: swordsmanship.
To him, Teach was nothing more than a bold upstart, while even Kaido was still considered a junior in comparison to his own long history at sea.
However, the sheer scale of the event was enough to pique his interest, and the thought of witnessing or even participating in such a gathering stirred something within him.
As his laughter faded, a terrifying sword intent surged outward, merging with his Conqueror's Haki and pressing down on the sky itself, silencing everything in its path.
His strength had always been rooted in his mastery of the blade, and even now, he remained one of the world's most formidable Grand Swordmasters.
The same ripple of interest spread to other corners of the world, reaching even the Emperors of the Sea.
Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom all turned their attention toward the upcoming tournament, each for their own reasons. Some sought entertainment, others curiosity, and some were drawn by personal interests, yet the result was the same: all four Emperors would converge on the same location.
This unprecedented development sent shockwaves throughout the world, pushing the popularity of the tournament to an entirely new level. Never before had such figures gathered in one place since the rise of the Emperor system, and the mere thought of their combined presence was enough to make even the bravest individuals uneasy.
On Parage Island, within the territory of the Nightfall Pirates, this unexpected turn of events created immense pressure.
"The situation has already exceeded our expectations," Mostima said with a grave expression, his voice reflecting the tension shared by many within the crew.
Originally, the tournament had been carefully planned as a grand spectacle, but the arrival of the Emperors introduced an unpredictable variable that could not be ignored. Their presence would inevitably attract countless additional forces, including the Marines, who would never miss such an opportunity to observe or intervene.
"If things spiral out of control, the consequences will be unimaginable," he continued, his concern evident as he considered the potential for chaos.
At the center of the room, Teach sat calmly upon his throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest in a steady rhythm as he listened to the concerns of his subordinates.
His expression remained composed, but his mind was already calculating every possible outcome.
"Recall all cadres stationed on other islands and bring them back," he finally said, his voice steady and authoritative. "During this period, few will dare to cause trouble elsewhere, so we must concentrate our strength here."
The order was simple, yet decisive, and it immediately set the tone for the preparations ahead.
"Do not be overly tense," Teach added with a faint smile as he noticed the unease among his crew. "This is a Swordsmanship Tournament, not a battlefield, and most of them are coming to watch or compete. The more forces gather, the more balanced the situation becomes."
His confidence was not unfounded, because he understood the nature of such events. No one wanted to ruin the tournament itself, especially with figures like Kozuki Oden and Redfield present, alongside the might of the Nightfall Pirates.
"Minor conflicts are inevitable, but they can be ignored," he continued, his tone turning colder as his gaze sharpened. "If anyone dares to cause real trouble, then we will deal with them directly."
A powerful aura surged from his body, pressing down on the room and filling every member present with renewed confidence.
"With me here, you do not need to fear anyone, not even the Emperors of the Sea."
Those words carried undeniable weight, and the hesitation within the crew began to fade as they straightened their backs, their resolve hardening.
Teach then laid out further instructions, ensuring that the defenses of the Sageros Sea were strengthened and that every movement within their territory was monitored closely. No ship, no crew, and no force would enter without being known.
As preparations intensified, Teach himself felt a growing sense of anticipation. The arrival of such powerful figures had not been part of his original plan, yet it also presented an opportunity to gauge the gap between himself and the true monsters of the sea.
He had no intention of engaging in a full-scale battle, but observing them, and perhaps clashing in smaller ways, would provide valuable insight.
After all, he was no longer the man he once was, and the power of darkness within him continued to evolve, inching closer to a threshold that he could already feel but had yet to break.
The world was moving, the pieces were gathering, and the stage was set.
All that remained was for the curtain to rise.